Temporary Cure for Small Wheel Ripples

C

CM Forge

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May 27, 2011
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Temporary Cure for Small Wheel Ripples
I am certain that I am not the first to figure this out, but I thought I would pass it along anyway. Anyone that uses a small attachment knows about the grinding ripples that come with using it. To limit or get rid of them:
Place one layer of 1/8” self adhesive cork around the wheel being mindful that you make a near perfect splice with the ends of the cork. Next you wrap the cork with two or three layers of duct tape keeping out wrinkles while wrapping. This gives just enough cushion to the small wheel to limit or even stop the grinding ripples caused by the belt splice.
Good luck!
Curtis
 
CM Forge said:
Temporary Cure for Small Wheel Ripples
I am certain that I am not the first to figure this out, but I thought I would pass it along anyway. Anyone that uses a small attachment knows about the grinding ripples that come with using it. To limit or get rid of them:
Place one layer of 1/8” self adhesive cork around the wheel being mindful that you make a near perfect splice with the ends of the cork. Next you wrap the cork with two or three layers of duct tape keeping out wrinkles while wrapping. This gives just enough cushion to the small wheel to limit or even stop the grinding ripples caused by the belt splice.
Good luck!
Curtis
Click to expand...

Great idea, thanks!
 
Or just scrub the abrasive off the splice first...

Not really too small of a wheel anymore when you start adding a quarter inch of cork and some duct tape.

I have small wheels down to 1/8"

On another note, most ripples seem to come from uneven motion when grinding on a small wheel.
Smooth out your movements, and the ripples smooth out too.
 
Ripples and "chatter" marks are more often a fault of technique than the tool. An experienced wood turner can make a cut that looks polished, and an inexperienced turner can make the same cut...and it will look like he took a knurling tool to it. The same goes for graver cuts and sanding with small wheels. it is more in the hand than in the tool.
 
I agree, it is a technique thing. I do find I have a much harder time with really cheap belts though, the blaze and cubitron belts have splices but don't leave any ripples.

I like the gator belts for smoothing out areas with the small wheel once I have them right with the ceramic belts. I also find scotchbrite belts make it really easy once you have everything right but will undercut your scales if you are not careful. (use for finishing only, not removal)

I have to try removing the grit on the splice, what is the best way to do that?
 
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